"Behold, I have told you in advance."

Chapter 19:What Should I Do Now?

Many disciples of Yeshua find it difficult to deal with the issue of physical (or material) preparation. However, the need to prepare physically is an issue that every disciple must face head-on considering the teachings of Yeshua, especially about the days of Noah. Noah had to prepare in order to be obedient. Since the coming of Yeshua will be just like the days of Noah, this aspect cannot, and should not, be ignored.

The questions and Scripture passages presented here are to help one to begin to face this issue. What specifically can be done to prepare is something the body of Messiah should be discussing, and helping one another to make the proper preparations. If this issue makes you feel uncomfortable, or perhaps even insecure, maybe you should pause here, and ask YHWH for an open and honest heart before Him. Tell YHWH you are willing to listen to Him and be obedient to whatever He says. This writer is not interested in putting forth his own opinions, only the word of YHWH. He only asks that you allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life.

The writer does believe that there are issues that are not being dealt with by His disciples. Since this is so, there are many within the body who have found it necessary to go outside the body for information and guidance in this area. Thus, the chance for being misled greatly increases, since those in the world care not for the things of YHWH. The survivalist movement in the U.S. today is growing, and for the most part does not deal with the true spiritual aspects of life. Thus, the leaders in the body must take the initiative in dealing with this issue before it is too late, rather than shrugging it off as fanatical.

Many times, those who hear the Voice of YHWH directing them to prepare, never tell some of their closest friends with whom they worship every Shabbat. They do not want to be ostracized and shunned. They do not want to be labeled as fanatics. Therefore, it is in secret that they make their preparations, always looking for clues in conversations with their fellow disciples as to whether or not they too, are making preparations. Their desire for true intimate fellowship is very strong. They desire to know that they are not the only ones who are doing this thing, to know that they, in fact, have heard the word of YHWH.[39]

This writer realizes that many who read this book will reject the warnings. They will make light of being prepared. However, this author has in his travels, observed a growing movement to get prepared for the coming of Yeshua (and facing the Anti-Messiah). It is not discussed openly in most circles yet. However, the sense of urgency that these radical disciples feel, the universality of the movement, and the sense of destiny that they seem to all possess is something of which that the body should take serious note.

Here are a few questions and related Scriptures to ask yourself, before YHWH in prayer. Don’t put off dealing with these; for, in doing so, it may become too late. Do it now! As the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His Voice, do not harden your heart.” (Hebrews 4:7)

Some questions to ask myself in prayer:

1. Should I get out of debt?

Romans 13:8
Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law.

This verse teaches that one should not be in debt to others, except for the debt of love. There are many financial planners today, most of whom are in agreement here. Heavy debt load inhibits the effectiveness of the individual and the family.

As this question relates to the coming tribulation, one’s freedom and his freedom to move are at issue. If a person is tied to many worldly possessions, he may not act as quickly as he should, because of his reluctance to leave all behind, and may not flee in time to avoid the government of the Anti-Messiah.

Getting out of debt and staying out of debt, may mean doing without some of the niceties of life. However, one doesn’t need them for salvation, and they may even be a hindrance to salvation. It is not wrong to own things, or even a lot of things, but when they own or control you, you are in trouble.

In addition to these things, being out of debt frees up a lot of finances that YHWH can use to further His kingdom. Putting these finances into the hands of YHWH will help to prepare not only oneself, but others as well. Listen to YHWH, for He has a plan for your life in this area.

The bottom line is that each should get out of debt as soon as possible, even if that means trading off the new car(s) for older models, perhaps even living in a smaller house. Whatever it takes to get out of debt - do it! And do it now!

2. Should I be physically fit?

1 Corinthians 3:16, 17
Know ye not that ye are the temple of YHWH, and that the Spirit of YHWH dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of YHWH, him shall YHWH destroy; for the temple of YHWH is holy, which temple ye are.

James 4:17
Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

One of the popular fads of today is health; health food, health exercises, health doctors, health vitamins, health living, health clubs, etc. These are not wrong in and of themselves, unless health becomes one’s master. Then it becomes a moral issue.

Once a person establishes a relationship with YHWH through Yeshua, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of the disciple. That person has become a temple of YHWH. He needs to take care of it the best way he can. It is possible to go overboard. If the taking care of one’s body consumes all of one’s time, then that is probably wrong. It would be better to cut back and look after the needs of others as well. There needs to be a balance.[40]

If one takes seriously the words of Yeshua that there is coming a day, perhaps in your lifetime, that those who belong to Him must flee,[41] then being physically fit takes on a whole new dimension. This flight, when it happens, will most likely be on foot. Since the disciple of Yeshua will not be able to buy or sell, this certainly includes gasoline and related items.

3. Should I stock up on food and supplies?

This question is far from being black and white. It is probably best answered by each person for himself with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, some thoughts in this area are in order.

First, one must realize that he is not his own; he has been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Therefore, all that one has belongs to YHWH, He is the one who placed those things into his stewardship, He is the Creator of all things, all things belong to Him. Keeping that in mind is important. One of the dangers in stocking up food and supplies is the sin of hoarding. If a person is generous to those in need, then it would not be wrong to “stock up.” Another danger is depending on the supplies one has acquired and not upon YHWH.

Secondly, YHWH has promised to take care of all one’s physical needs if he puts the things of YHWH first in his life (Matthew 6:25, 31-34). However, YHWH has also warned of a coming world ruler who will not allow disciples of Messiah to buy nor sell (because they will not worship him, Revelation 13:15-17). The question is then, “Does YHWH expect me to prepare for that time when I will not be able to buy or sell, much as Noah was warned and built an ark?” Won’t YHWH take care of me? What purpose did YHWH have in mind in warning all disciples, if it was not to be prepared?

Where does faith enter into this? At times YHWH has required His people to do things that the world did not understand, and they ridiculed the people who were following after YHWH. This does not diminish nor release one from his responsibility to be obedient to what YHWH has said. The body of Messiah must listen and obey the Voice of YHWH and act accordingly regardless of who makes fun of them. To do less is to be disobedient, which leads to condemnation and judgment.

One other thought in this area deals again with the coming “flight.” If one “stocks up” with an abundance of food and supplies, then it would not be very likely he would be able to carry all this with Him. In addition to this, it would make it that much harder to “flee” in a timely manner, as the “supplies” may tend to make one hesitate in leaving his security behind. The issue once again, is one of trust. Trust in a loving and caring YHWH.

One aspect that the reader perhaps should consider is becoming adept in providing food and shelter for himself and his family by living off the land. This takes time and practice to acquire this type of knowledge. Therefore, if this is an area to be included in one’s preparations, it needs to be done before the knowledge is needed.

4. Should I buy guns and ammunition?

The first question to ask here is this, “What purpose am I buying them for; what will I use them for?” There is a growing movement in the U.S. concerning survival. There are people from all walks of life, both disciples and non-disciples. Many within the body have labeled this movement as purely fanatical, and will have nothing to do with it. The survival movement, like most other movements, has its share of fanatics. Those who are disciples of Messiah for the most part, must go outside the Body for guidance and information. This increases the chance of being led astray, since the world is not concerned about the things of YHWH. One verse that is notable in advancing one’s understanding of being prepared, is found in the midst of the description of the Anti-Messiah.

Revelation 13:10
He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

If a person buys guns and ammunition in preparation for the coming tribulation, with the intent to use them against other people, he must be prepared to die in the same fashion. If YHWH’s kingdom can be furthered better by a certain person’s captivity, and he belongs to YHWH, will buying guns change His will for that person? It will not change it according to this verse.

What about one’s right to defend himself and his family? Don’t I have the right to defend my family and myself? Self-defense is a right according to the ever-changing laws of the land. According to what seems right from a humanistic point of view, yes. One verse that may be of interest in this discussion is found in the book of Luke. These are the words of Yeshua, one word of caution about this verse, and the context. Yeshua is teaching on His coming again, and the particular verse this study is interested in is dealing with defense, as in a court of law.

Luke 21:14, 15, 18, 19
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

If this has an application here, it would have to do with the fact that one’s life is not his own, but YHWH’s. He is our Protector. YHWH may call upon to die for his faith in Him, but it only means that one will be with Yeshua that much sooner. The most important thing in a person’s life during this time, will be maintaining an effective witness for Messiah. This is more important than getting the drop on the next guy. Each person must be willing to die for Yeshua in order to spread the Gospel message. One can only do this if he is fully surrendered to Messiah.

Notice, that in both passages, it speaks of the endurance of the saints. Their faith and endurance come from YHWH, not because they have more and bigger weapons than the next guy; but rather, because they have a personal relationship with Yeshua. If the reader is open and honest before YHWH, He will tell him if this is an area that he should include in any preparations he is to do. Be open and listen to Him, and then OBEY! Care should be taken not to be judgmental of the next person who may not be preparing in exactly the same manner. YHWH may very well lead each person to prepare differently in order to provide for the body of Messiah during the tribulation.

5. Should I prepare for nuclear war? Or for germ warfare?

Considering the fast pace at which the political scene is changing in the world today, and its instability, along with the rise in terrorism, the reality of one or both of these seems to be heightened. If it were possible to prepare for the event of one of these holocausts, should I? There are many books that go into great detail on how to prepare for these and other catastrophic events. Among other things, for most this may be impractical. It may even be unnecessary.

Mark 16:17, 18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

This writer believes in these promises. The promise concerning the intake of any deadly poison has an obvious application to germ/chemical warfare. But then, one’s faith must rest completely upon Yeshua for this, or any other promise to be claimed. In addition to this, the three Hebrew children who were thrown into the fiery furnace, and were not burned comes to mind. They did not know whether YHWH would spare them or whether they would perish in the fire. However, either way, they would not worship the idol, only YHWH. This can be applied to the threat of nuclear war. One need not fear death; only serve YHWH with one’s life or with one’s death.

In looking at, and dealing with these issues, one must realize that YHWH may call one to prepare in a specific way, and another in some other specific way. The important thing is to realize that all fit into the body of Messiah with different gifts and callings. One must be careful not to judge his neighbor for how he feels YHWH has called him to prepare.

Faith alone cannot save!

Turn to the book of James, and some astonishing truths about faith will be discovered. One finds that faith by itself will not, and cannot, save a person. What the Holy Spirit is teaching is that mental assent or belief alone is not enough. That belief must be joined with, and result in, action based upon that belief. All the following verses are taken from James chapter two.

vs. 14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?

vs. 17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

vs. 19, 20
Thou believest that there is one Elohim; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, vain man, that faith without works is dead?

vs. 22
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

vs. 24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

vs. 26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Before the reader gets too far ahead, let it be stated here, clearly and emphatically, that this writer believes a person is saved by grace through faith in Yeshua, PERIOD. However, taking the above verses into consideration along with Ephesians 2:10, one can only make his salvation complete, by walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit.

This must include Torah! If one is not obeying the Spirit, then one cannot say he is in a state of grace (or perhaps, he was never even in a state of grace). A person cannot willfully and knowingly sin, be disobedient against YHWH, and be in His favor (see Romans 11:17-22). A disciple can only be in a state of grace, by the power of YHWH, if he acts in accordance with His will.

This writer’s prayer for each reader is that he would take these issues before YHWH, NOW, and allow Him to prepare him for what is to come. If you will consciously decide to walk in the fullness of YHWH’s will for your life, He will get you ready to meet the future, whatever it may hold. The writer’s concern for the body is that it is not ready for the coming tribulation, because many believe that they will be spared that hardship. YHWH has promised to help through the difficulties of life, but not to relieve a person of them. Consider Noah, Moses, David, Job, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech, Abednego, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and even Yeshua, and many, many more. None of these were spared sufferings or trials, but YHWH did give them the grace and strength to go through it. Therefore, He will you as well. Practice living your faith today, that you may be ready for what tomorrow holds. If you wait to get ready
tomorrow, it could be too late.

Call of the Watchman
The prophet Ezekiel records the duties of the watchman (chapter 33). Look at a few of the more pertinent verses.

Ezekiel 33:7-9
So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

YHWH has surely warned His people. It seems that many of YHWH’s people are ignoring this warning. Not only do they not heed the warning, but neither do they warn others. As you have read this book, YHWH has dealt with you in some very specific areas. One of those areas may have been in the area of telling others about the Scriptures you have studied in this book. It will take complete and unconditional consecration to answer the call of the watchman. If you have heard this call, ask YHWH for the desire to answer His call. You, and you alone, must make the choice. Your faith must be in Him, and Him alone. If you are concerned about what others think about you, you will never be able to fulfill the call of the watchman. It will take a willingness to be shunned by others, family and friends. It will take a willingness to bear the full reproach and shame of the Good News of Yeshua. However, regardless of what happens to the individual, the warning must be cried out, before it is too late. Time is growing short. The night quickly approaches when no man can work.

Won’t you put aside you own personal agenda in favor of doing and being completely obedient to Yeshua, our Master and Savior?

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very YHWH of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray YHWH your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Master Yeshua Messiah.

[39] There have been many times that this writer has found ordinary people, and even some pastors, who were making these types of preparations. However, they had never told anyone else.

[41] There have been times throughout history that the followers of Yeshua have come under persecution and had to flee, for Yeshua taught His disciples that, “When they persecute you in this city, flee to the next “(Matthew 10:23). Regardless of whether or not “the” Anti-Messiah arises in the very near future, one should not discount the reality that this country (U.S.A.) has set itself up for judgment, thus persecution of His disciples.